SSTI Digest

Note: TBED101 is a new, occasional series for Digest readers visiting and revisiting fundamental topics for nurturing strong regional innovation economies. SSTI is introducing this series, with EDA support, as the field has entered one of its most significant periods of disruption and change in its 45-year history. Separately, SSTI members will be able to participate in more in-depth explorations of the issues in the coming months as part of their membership. Consider joining here. In public policy discussions and popular media, the terms “critical technologies” and “emerging technologies” are frequently invoked—but their meanings are often conflated. For policymakers, clearly distinguishing between the two is essential, as each category carries distinct policy imperatives for funding, regulation, and national security. Emerging technologies are primarily defined by their novelty and developmental stage. They represent the…

If you’re leading a knowledge work[1] organization and considering introducing generative artificial intelligence into your workflow, it likely would be helpful to know how its use may impact the day-to-day aspects of your team’s work, and the potential risks involved.  A recent study by researchers at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory provides a resource for understanding organizational adaptation of generative AI. They surveyed science and operations employees in the lab to learn about their perceptions and concerns of the potentially transformative or possibly disruptive technology. With responses divided between science and operations workers, the researchers then conducted follow-up interviews with one-third of the group. Their findings are relevant to knowledge-based organizations beyond national labs: the dichotomy between knowledge specialists and operations workers can be found in many science and non-science organizations. Also, similar to banks and government institutions, national labs regularly deal with sensitive data that heightens concerns and real risks regarding privacy and security. When surveyed employees…

For the United States to achieve greater security in chip manufacturing, the critical sector requires a much larger, better trained workforce. Between 2020 and 2022, annual postings for semiconductor jobs tripled from about 8,000 to almost 25,000, according to a new report, “The challenge of building a regional semiconductor workforce pipeline: What regions can learn from Austin, Texas and an agenda for cross-regional learning” from the Institute for Networked Communities (INC). As noted in the report, analysts expect that between 2023 and 2030, the industry will grow 33%, an increase of 115,000 jobs. At current degree completion rates, approximately 67,000 jobs would go unfilled. The INC report illustrates what it takes to build an industry-driven workforce system in the semiconductor industry based on the experience of Austin, Texas. The co-authors Francie Genz, Ryan Donahue, and Erin Sparks delve into what other regions can learn from Austin and why a cross-regional learning and action network is needed. “The stakes for getting regional workforce strategy right in the semiconductor space couldn’t be higher,” said Francie Genz, CEO of INC, in an email. “…

The White House Fiscal Year 2026 discretionary budget proposal outlines a significant shift in federal spending priorities, proposing substantial reductions in innovation and non-defense discretionary funding, which, if enacted by Congress, would impact scientific research and regional economic development support across numerous federal agencies.  The initial release of the White House's FY2026 budget proposal is characterized as a "skinny budget," indicating that it provides a high-level overview of the administration's discretionary spending priorities without the detailed line-item specifics contained in a full budget request. The proposal aims for a $163 billion cut in non-defense discretionary funding, a 22.6% reduction from the previous fiscal year.  Regional Innovation supportWithin the Department of Commerce (DOC), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would see a reduction of $325 million. The administration has already signaled its intention to eliminate the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which has provided technical…

The United States faces intense competition in global markets for advanced technology industries. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) article, "The State Hamilton Index: Most states underperform in advanced industries" by Meghan Ostertag reveals a concerning trend regarding the geographic distribution and overall strength of advanced industries within the U.S. The 2025 State Hamilton Index indicates that most U.S. states lag behind both the global average and China in their concentration of employment in advanced industries deemed crucial for economic growth and national security. Only four states don’t lag across multiple sectors, and only one beats China.  ITIF warns of the systematic challenge with the U.S. underperforming the world average in employment concentration in the Hamilton Index industries. The industries are  information technology (IT) and information services, including software and internet services; computer, electronic, and optical products…

The SSTI Board of Trustees has appointed Kristy Campbell, president & chief operations officer at Rev1 Ventures, and John Fernandez, chief executive officer at The Mill, as members of the board.  “I look forward to working with Kristy and John as new board members,” Dan Berglund, SSTI’s president, said with their appointments. “Both are proven, inspiring leaders, have been long time friends of SSTI, and demonstrated strong commitments to advancing the TBED community.”

SSTI has recently expanded its staff to include Aaron Hagar as their vice president for innovation finance. Hagar brings over twenty years of experience spanning biomedical research, heath care, public policy, and technology-based economic development to share with SSTI's members. He has significant experience building partnerships, creating innovative solutions, shaping public policy, and developing data-driven strategies. “I’m excited to have Aaron join the SSTI team,” CEO Mark Skinner said. “SSTI will be in a much stronger position to serve the needs of the nation’s community of non-profit venture development organizations, SSBCI venture programs, and innovation finance initiatives. Aaron brings a rich depth of knowledge of publicly supported finance programs, fresh energy and creativity, and a tremendous understanding the public-private collaboration required to achieve financial and economic development returns simultaneously. For the past thirteen years, Hagar has worked at the state level to support entrepreneurs and startups in Wisconsin. Most recently, he served for over eight years as vice president of…

America's Seed Fund returns to the J.W. Marriott in Austin, Texas, for the SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference from June 9 -11.  SSTI Weekly Digest readers may use these discount codes to reduce their cost for attending: Full SBIR/STTR Program | Register Now Use code 25SBIR20 for a 20% discount when you select the "SBIR/STTR Program Only" registration option. This includes the Keynote Session, SBIR/STTR panel sessions, and access to the SBIR Pavilion in the Expo Hall. Free Access to the Expo Hall Only | Register Now Use code 25SBIREXPO at checkout when you select the "TechConnect Expo Floor Only" registration option. This includes the Keynote Session and access to the SBIR Pavilion in the Expo Hall. Registrants will directly access SBIR agency representatives in the SBIR Pavilion and Expo Hall. The Expo Hall also features over 100 organizations and companies, providing a space to connect with innovators, technology scouts, investors, and federal agency representatives.

The White House Fiscal Year 2026 discretionary budget proposal outlines a significant shift in federal spending priorities, proposing substantial reductions in non-defense discretionary funding, which, if enacted by Congress, would impact scientific research and regional economic development support across numerous federal agencies.  The initial release of the White House's FY2026 budget proposal is characterized as a "skinny budget," indicating that it provides a high-level overview of the administration's discretionary spending priorities without the detailed line-item specifics contained in a full budget request. The proposal aims for a $163 billion cut in non-defense discretionary funding, a 22.6% reduction from the previous fiscal year.  The FY2026 proposal details considerable cuts to key research-funding bodies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). While substantial cuts are proposed for many research areas, the budget also outlines increased funding for defense-related research, human space exploration…

The AI market is projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2023—a 25x increase in just 10 years, according to the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 2025 Technology and Innovation report. The technology will be leap-frogging other “frontier tech markets,” including the Internet of Things, which currently dominates 36% of the market for emerging platform technologies. The super-charged AI market will impact up to 40% of global jobs, both positively and negatively. How this growth will affect jobs in different countries and how the effects could be directed to increase fairness globally is of great concern to UNCTAD and the focus of the new report. UNCTAD asserts that up to one-third of jobs in nations with advanced economies are at risk because of efficiency gains resulting from AI automation. "Workforces in advanced economies are at greater risk since more of their jobs involve cognitive tasks,” said the report authors, but added, “However, these economies are also better positioned than emerging and low-income economies to capitalize on the benefits of AI.” In contrast, 24% of jobs in nations with emerging economies and 18% of jobs in low-income economies are at risk as…

SSTI’s recent webinar for its EDA-funded TBED Community of Practice work explored the emerging trend of creating centralized tech transfer offices (TTOs) serving multiple institutions. Centralized approaches are intended to more efficiently help develop and commercialize inventions from smaller or regional colleges and universities. Panelists Kayla Meisner of Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), Charles Layne of LaunchTN, and Carlos Baez from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust highlighted the value centralized models bring to regions and the national landscape.  Panelists discussed the key advantages of centralized TTOs in their regions, including efficiency, economies of scale, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced service quality. They emphasized the ability to identify, evaluate, and support innovations, manage intellectual property, and negotiate licensing for institutions with limited research budgets and little experience in tech transfer. As with TTOs at the larger, better resourced R1 institutions, impacts are measured through key performance indicators such as invention disclosures, patents filed, licenses signed, and startups…

May 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET | Zoom  This webinar will explore how organizations can develop meaningful industry partnerships that drive tech-based economic development. The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) will share its approach to creating compelling value propositions for potential partners and converting these initial connections into lasting, mutually beneficial collaborations. Their AI initiative, AnalytiXIN, will serve as a case study, demonstrating the methods and principles that have made their industry engagement efforts successful. Speakers: - Nathan Ringham, Vice President, Research and Insights (CICP) - Darshan Shah, Executive Vice President, Data and AnalytiXIN (CICP) Register for this webinar here.